Mantra

This week we're working with some forward bends, such as Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee) and Eka Pada Bhujasana (Elephant). Both of these poses require core strength to do properly. Specifically, hugging in along the "inner girdle" or transverse abdominus muscle.

Our theme is on mantras. The word mantra means 'that which protects'. Doug Keller writes about mantras in his book, Refining the Breath. He says, "Through mantra we stabilize the mind, bring it into a state of equipoise. From that steady and centered state, we are able to recognize the power behind words, protect ourselves from their influence through discrimination, and merge with the divine power behind them - the power of the mantra itself."

He goes on to say, "Mantras are far more powerful than ordinary words because of the purity of their vibration and the accumulated power of the practice invested in them by all who have repeated them. The true power of mantra comes not from any cognitive meaning or 'translation' that we may attribute to it, but from the power of the sounds of the letters themselves."

Hopefully this will bring more meaning to our class chanting of "OM" or "Shanti". For more info, check out http://totalhealthyoga.blogspot.com/2007/10/sanskrit-om-shanti-namaste.html.

Namaste,

Kris Kramer
www.TotalHealthYoga.com
http://www.TotalHealthYoga.Blogspot.com

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